02 May 2013

Sky Freight

Here is the latest addition to my matte painting reel, built exclusively from my own photography taken in and around Vancouver.

This matte painting explores the idea that mankind has developed a technology that can
manipulate and overcome gravity. However,
the technology isn't terribly nimble, making its applications
somewhat less glamorous than your average science fiction craft.

There's something extremely appealing to me about impossibly large
objects floating serenely in the sky. From Avatar's hallelujah mountains
to the District 9 saucer, I've always been captivated with this idea. I'm not sure if
it's the serenity, the primal urge to fly, or the thrill of vertigo in
the back of my mind. Maybe a bit of all three.

17 comments:

Great concept Matty! The Sky Freighters are awesome. Makes me think of that period at the beginning of last century when airships were the future. Awe inspiring and romantic but kind of ponderous and clumsy at the same time. There's always something that bugs me about the majority of near-future sci-fi concept art in that it always looks so slick and contrived.Keep up the great work man, can't wait to see the next piece!

Thanks heaps for the encouragement. Yeah the enourmous airships were amazing. I wish they still existed so we could go on an aerial cruise! There's something about the round shapes of the envelopes that make them seem even more clumsy and ponderous than the actual physics I think. Like a jellyfish or a whale. And I agree with you about near-future sci fi. It's easier to imagine a world that is essentially like our own but with a few small additions. Don't worry, there will be more :)

Wow this is incredible! I really like the concept, the way you describe it seems like it can be totally believable. Composition is great too. I really get a sense of scale and epicness in the piece! Thanks for sharing!

Hmmm, well your perspective is perfect... the lighting magnificent... the palette stunning... the composition captivating... but your boats are all up in the sky instead of floating on water as god intended them, so I'd consider this a do-over.